Tanger Med Eyes More Vessel Calls As Shipping Reroutes Around Africa

Dubai (PlantAndEquipment.com) - Morocco’s Tanger Med, Africa’s largest container port, anticipates a spike in traffic from vessels as shipping lines change routes across Africa in light of rising tensions in the Middle East.

Major carriers, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM, have started rerouting vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, avoiding important regional chokepoints.

According to port management, the relocation would increase transit times for ships bound for Tanger Med by 10 to 14 days.

Located on the Strait of Gibraltar, the port is concentrating on capacity management and avoiding congestion as traffic patterns shift. Authorities said the entire effect on cargo flows is expected to be known by mid-to-late April, with no cancellations recorded thus yet.

The rerouting comes after continuing problems in the Red Sea and neighboring regions, with ships avoiding routes like the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait owing to security concerns. Recent geopolitical factors, such as tensions with Iran and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, have strengthened the change.

Longer routes have raised fuel consumption and freight costs, with surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $3,300 per container, and up to $4,000 for specialist goods, according to the port.

Tanger Med handled 11.1 million containers in 2025, up 8.4% year on year, and has links to over 180 ports worldwide.

The port said that its size and connection allow it to profit from shifting trade routes while continuously monitoring operations to guarantee efficiency.